SOME COMMON QUESTIONS AND SOME HELPFUL ANSWERS

We incorporate the Birth Social Program into our care. What that looks like is individual visits with the midwives from weeks 4-14 group care from about 14-34 weeks (which still includes a one on one belly check), and individual visits from 34 weeks on. Visits are provided on Weds & Thurs, and your group visits are scheduled out in advance.

At your initial appointment you will be given our on-call number to reach a midwife at any time of day for labor and urgent needs or emergencies. 

As midwives we take low-risk clients. If you are unsure if your unique situation would be a good fit for a home or birth center birth, please schedule a consult with us to discuss your options. We do accept VBAC, breech, and twins!

Most insurance PPO providers including Tricare Select will allow for out of network billing. Medicaid will not cover our services. We do work with a biller who can help file on your behalf in the postpartum and some parents are able to obtain a full or partial reimbursement this way.  Health shares work differently and many will cover the full cost of services. We are happy to discuss what coverage or reimbursement you may be able to get at your consultation.

We do not have a minimum week of gestation to start care. At Dulce we are very proactive with labs and prefer to get you scheduled as soon as possible to start on the path to a healthy pregnancy.

We have multiple midwives on staff and a secondary birthing room at our center if needed. We also limit capacity each month to assure we can give thorough and personalized care to each of our clients.

Our practice uses a call schedule where  midwives rotate on call times. A benefit of this rotation is that during your pregnancy, you will be able to meet and form a relationship with each of our midwives. Our call schedule is strategically planned, as to not overtire or overwork the midwives; everyone gets equal call, and therefore you should have a well-rested midwife that you are familiar with at your birth!

Yes, we are trained to handle all different types of birth emergencies. We carry all emergency equipment and medications to home births that we have available to us at the birth center. Our team regularly participates in drills to practice in the case of an emergency and are all required to have current CPR and NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) training and certification. We always have a backup plan in place to keep you safe and transfer to the hospital if necessary.

Dulce Birthing Center does not currently offer any diagnostic ultrasound services. We work with other local qualified providers during your care for dating scans, the 20 week anatomy ultrasound, and any necessary third trimester scans.

We can not recommend any 3D/4D “fun” ultrasounds due to limited research on the safety of unnecessary ultrasound use in pregnancy.

Many of our birthing families choose to hire a birth support specialist (aka "doula") who is trained to help with pain management through a variety of comfort measures. Hydrotherapy such as the shower or birthing tub are also very effective at helping with the intensity of contractions in active labor.  We are unable to offer IV medications or epidurals outside of the hospital. 

As part of our services provided we file for the birth certificate and security card on your behalf following the birth. Each family is then given instructions on how to obtain an official copy of the Social Security card and birth certificate as well as any documentation needed to get baby enrolled in DEERS and TRICARE for our military families.

The Birth Social Program is an important part of the experience that sets us apart. The program strengthens and sustains the practice of midwifery through evidence-based practice, clinical expertise, and client preference. It supports the physical, psychological, and social well-being of providers, families, and babies through environmental best practices, shared decision making, and community care. This program empowers and enriches childbirth communities both now and long into the future through education, self-care awareness, and support during the prenatal, birth, and postpartum cycles.

Relationships with other mothers, families, and the community are now more vital for pregnant families than ever before. Humans are meant to socialize with one another. Midwives have the opportunity to bridge the gap between care and community connections through group prenatal care. The amount of appointments you have will not be impacted by the Birth Social Program, however group prenatal care and childbirth education is incorporated throughout your pregnancy. Weeks 4-16 of your pregnancy will be entirely one-on-one with your midwives, going over your medical history, personalized care plans, addressing questions and concerns you may have, as well checking on and listening to your baby, and completely all of your routine care and any labs you may need. From weeks 16-36

group care will be routinely incorporated. During these weeks, your appointments will consist of self-guided care such as updating your prenatal form, taking your own blood pressure, temperature, and completing your urinalysis-all overseen by your midwives who are readily available to help should you need it. This will be followed by a short group session focused on particular aspects of childbirth education in which mothers and their partners are encouraged to ask questions and engage with the material. Immediately following this group time, a staff member will sit with you privately, one-on-one, to go over your prenatal form, answer any personal questions or concerns you may have, as well as listen to your baby and complete your “belly check”. From weeks 36-40+ your care will return to one-on-one care with your midwives.